Well, didn't see that coming

[sigma7]

Sarah Palin? Really?

It's an...interesting tactic, I guess, desperately skewing toward the elusive PUMA (well, those who kept their TVs off this week) while still pro-life. I don't see it working, though. Troopergate aside (which will feed right into the Democratic attack line of cronyism and corruption, politics as usual), I don't see her bringing women voters to the polls -- her popularity up north will probably cement Alaska's electoral votes (all three of them) which were leaning red anyway, but I don't see that appeal cutting into the Democratic base. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm just glad there are some fresh faces in the cycle this time around. Much, much more fascinating.

The ultimate benefactor of this move, regardless of how the presidential race turns out, might just be Ted "Series of Tubes" Stevens, the Republican senator since the discovery of gunpowder, under indictment and seventeen points behind Mark Begich. I don't know that even Palin's place on the ticket will help him close the gap, but the man needs every ounce of help he can get. If Stevens pulls out of the primary and another Republican steps up to the plate, though, all bets are off.

Edit via the glory that is alstaria: Tigh/Roslin '08! This beats out my other dream ticket of Roslin/Airlock.

Comments

[alstaria.livejournal.com]

My only concern is that this will cut down Biden's effectiveness as an attack dog in the VP debates. Republicans will certainly cry, "OMG, he attacked teh Woman. He is an ebil, ebil misogynist!!" no matter what is said.

But yeah, I'm not too concerned with this choice. If he had gone with Hutchinson then I would have been worried.

[blemt.livejournal.com]

I'm not Democrat base, but I am Independent strongly leaning towards Democrat in every election I've voted in. I was waiting on McCain to pick his running mate before I made the final decision. I've talked to a lot of my friends who are Indi and were also holding back. We all agreed that we needed to see McCain pick someone we could live with.

He just did that.

I'm giving both candidates the benefit of experience and the fact that we all learn. Mistakes are made and over a lifetime we all make some doozies. I'm looking over the last 6-8 years. Recent conduct and behaviors.

Obama has no demonstrated pattern of bipartisanship. McCain on more than once occasion has gone against the Republican party on a bunch of issues including the environment and election reform.

Obama's ongoing statements regarding foreign policy scare the hell out of me. He's made several statements regarding Pakistan and Iran that border on irresponsible. I don't care if you aren't a policy whiz. I do care that you have done some basic reading to actually comprehend the situation BEFORE you open your mouth.

I wasn't sold on Obama in the primary, and NOTHING I've seen since has me feeling the warm fuzzies. I don't vote based on party. Ever. I vote based on issues. I have one very significant issue I disagree with McCain. That issue is not enough to override the deep concerns I have about statements made again and again by Obama.

And frankly, I got pissed when he backed away from a very clear promise to hold to the federal matching funds for the election. Time and time again he said that he was going to work with the system. The second he got an advantage it was, "whoops, sorry I changed my mind." I'm okay with people changing opinions over time. I'm not okay with you doing it like that. It gets me thinking, what are you going to go back on that you are promising me right now? Cut taxes? Whoops, sorry, changed my mind. Money into education? Whoops, sorry that won't work. No new schools for you.

I doubt I'll say it much of anywhere else because I respect all my friends and their opinions. I don't want to get into fights with them over differences in politics. Just this once...

McCain/Palin O8.

[rainfletcher.livejournal.com]

Okay, now that I'm watching the show, my assumption as to what "Roslin/Airlock" means has skewed. From the POV of a non-viewer, it sounds as though someone wants to throw her from one. Now that I've seen some episodes, it seems that the airlock is more her weapon of choice.

So I now presume that Roslin/Airlock is a good thing, yes? As in, mess with me and you get to deal with my VP?

[patchsassy.livejournal.com]

I think it's hilarious that the young guy picked an old-white haired fellow and the old-white haired fellow picked a young woman.

[phrogg.livejournal.com]

Palin really isn't bad. This whole Walt Monegan business is unfounded, and the media is blowing this way out of proportion (as they always do, sensationalist group that they are).

Personally, McCain's choice pisses me off. He's playing the Vagina Card, hoping to win over feminist votes.

Not only that, but outside of this whole Monegan business, i think she's doing a pretty damned good job here in AK, which is more than i can say for her predecessor. I'd like to see her stick around a while, and she can't do that if she has to run off to Washington with Senile McIdiot.

[beagle1971.livejournal.com]

I'm just wondering how McCain will lose an eye. I hope it's one of the debates.

[bishop282.livejournal.com]

Someone at Ace's site noticed the Tigh/Roslin connection too. I'm glad I finally got into that show. Of course now it is such a long wait until the last half of the season.

From what I've read, Palin's done a good job of fighting corruption in Alaska, but did support Stevens in the primary. I like what a commenter at AOSHQ said, Palin ran a town and a state, McCain ran an attack squadron, Obama ran for office and Biden ran his mouth.

One interesting fact about the tickets; the members of the tickets represent the 1st, 48th, 49th, and 50th states. Not sure where Obama's extra 10 states fit into the mix, so for Obama the tickets might represent 1, 58, 59, and 60.